Franz Liszt

The Profile

Franz Liszt (1811–1886) was a Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist, conductor, and teacher of the Romantic era. A visionary of piano technique and color, he also pioneered the symphonic poem and championed fellow composers.

Hungarian composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era (1811–1886); conductor and influential teacher; pioneer of the symphonic poem; renowned for works such as the Hungarian Rhapsodies, B minor Sonata, and Transcendental Études; supporter of Richard Wagner.

Four reviews swoon over Liszt’s piano world: the pyrotechnics of Réminiscences de Don Juan, the iconic Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, the lyrical Liebestraum No. 3, and the towering Transcendental Études. Christmas Tree/Via Crucis shows his more intimate, sacred side. Performers praised include Alexei Volodin, Michele Campanella, Martha Argerich, Georges Cziffra, and Leslie Howard.